Understanding the student perspective of Microsoft OneNote as a learning resource in higher education

Microsoft OneNote is a digital notebook where notes can be created, stored, organised and shared. OneNote is used in industry but is also marketed to the education sector, however, there is little published to date about the application of OneNote to learning in Higher Education. This paper discusses how OneNote has been trialled on three modules with Part A and B Electrical Engineering Students at a UK university, in the School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering. The paper also shares the findings of a study to explore the student perspective of Microsoft OneNote as a learning resource, against the context of the University’s Virtual Learning Environment. The research was undertaken by staff at the University’s Centre for Academic Practice on behalf of the School. The study surveyed the literature to understand how OneNote is being used within education and employed both online survey and focus group methods with students. Although a small study, the use of multiple research methods enabled the triangulation of data, giving greater confidence in the findings of the study. The results include the finding that there is a difference between how Part A and Part B students value the capabilities offered by OneNote. With Part B students reporting greater appreciation of the collaboration features of the tool. The results also challenge assumptions that students are able to buy the most appropriate technology tools to interact with OneNote.